Most kids have only swung at tee balls and soft tosses. The first time they see a real overhand pitch, they freeze. Overhand BP at a short distance bridges the gap. Same swing, real ball flight.
What you need: 20 baseballs, a bat, a protective screen, a backstop or fence.
Setup: Coach 30 feet from the batter behind a screen. Batter at home plate.
How to run it:
- Cue: Set, Load, Step, Swing.
- Coach throws overhand at half-speed strikes. Goal: throw 10 hittable pitches in a row.
- Batter swings at every pitch in the strike zone.
- After 10 swings, take 30 seconds. Then 10 more.
- Last 5 swings: throw at slightly faster speed but still in the zone.
What to watch: Are they pulling out of the swing because the ball is moving? That’s the sign that the speed is too much. Slow down or move further away.
If they’re struggling: Move the coach further back to 40 feet. Slower throws.
If they’ve got it: Add some balls (intentionally outside the zone). Batter has to take pitches that are not strikes.